The Day reports (http://bit.ly/1QLwrJj ) officials at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton have stepped up enforcement of a policy to not feed feral animals. Sailors who disobey could face a range of actions as outlined by the U.S. Code of Military Justice. Civilian workers also could be punished.

Base spokesman Chris Zendan says feral cats pose a public health threat and are also a risk to the base's operation.

Base officials previously reached out to local animal shelters and convened a "feral cat summit" last year to research solutions.

The cats have been spotted near where submarines are docked and there are many storage facilities.